Chapter 58: Chapter 58: A Tiger Carries a Human
Renee Jennings listened to the big tigerâs words, a warmth spreading through her heart, and the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile.
She reached out and patted the tigerâs forehead, smiling. "Rory, youâre the most loyal and caring tiger Iâve ever met."
When Evan Griffin saw her action, he tensed up instinctively.
A tigerâs headâshe could just pat it whenever she wanted?
Flattered by the praise, Rory wagged his tail gently and said haughtily, "Renee, why are you praising me again! I already know all this, you donât have to say it!"
Evan Griffin was stunned, watching the tigerâs wagging tail. His gaze toward Renee Jennings filled with even more admiration.
âSheâs so amazing. She actually managed to turn a tiger into a cuddly kitten.â
"That wonât do." Renee Jennings peeked at the tigerâs majestic face, her eyes curving into crescents. "Youâre so amazing, I wish the whole world could know it."
She didnât expect him to take her casual remark so seriously. Rory grew curious and pressed, "Renee, how are you going to let the whole world know how amazing I am?"
Renee Jennings: "..."
She thought about it seriously before saying, "I guess I could use my phone to record a video and post it online. Then everyone in the world could see it."
"You humansâ phones are so magical!" Rory couldnât help but exclaim, then added excitedly, "Then come on out and record the video."
Renee Jennings looked at Rory. âI canât ask about Sabin just yet.â
âIf this smart big tiger finds out the main reason I came today was to help Sabin, heâll definitely get mad.â
âI worked so hard to make this friend; I donât want to lose him right away.â
âBesides, Iâm the one in the wrong here. I actually havenât come to see Rory for so many days.â
Thinking about Roryâs accusations from just now, Renee Jennings felt even more awful.
âI was wrong first, so making a video for the big tiger is the least I can do.â
With that in mind, she turned her head to Evan Griffin and said, "Mr. Griffin, Iâm going to get out of the car to help Rory record some videos."
Evan Griffin frowned.
Even though he knew Renee Jennings could charm a big tiger into a cuddly kitten and escape its jaws unscathed, he still felt a little worried.
âItâs that one-in-a-million chance you have to worry about!â
âThis is the king of beasts, a ferocious tiger!â
Seeing Evan Griffinâs worried expression, Renee Jennings said earnestly, "Donât worry, Mr. Griffin. I trust Rory wonât hurt me."
"What?" Rory was astonished when he heard her. "This four-eyed human suspects I would hurt Renee? What a disgrace! A total disgrace! I never hurt my friends! Unless you try to steal my wife!"
Renee Jennings couldnât help but smile. "Rory, youâre so smart. You even know how to use idioms."
Rory gave a modest smile. "Heh heh! I learned it from TV!"
In his thirty years of life, it was the first time Evan Griffin had ever seen a tiger grin, and he was completely dumbfounded.
She could make a tiger grin with just a few words, and here he was, still worried it was too dangerous for Renee Jennings to get out of the car...
âFine, fine, fine. I wonât stop her.â
The door of the special vehicle opened. Renee Jennings got out and walked toward Rory, and the big cat immediately nuzzled her with its huge head.
Due to the excessive force and the suddenness of the movement, Renee Jennings winced in pain and frowned. She lost her footing, and her body fell backward uncontrollably.
When Evan Griffin saw this, he thought Renee Jennings was being attacked and was so scared his soul almost left his body. "Help!"
With lightning-fast reflexes, Rory darted behind Renee Jennings, acting as a fleshy cushion for her.
Renee Jennings fell onto the tiger. Evan Griffin let out a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
He had been worrying too much.
"Renee, how did you fall?" Rory asked, bewildered.
Renee Jennings: "..."
She said helplessly, "I just lost my footing."
Rory: "Youâre so clumsy."
Renee Jennings: "..."
âOh, great. Just great. I didnât even blame you for suddenly bumping into me, and you have the nerve to call me clumsy!â
But in the next second, Renee Jenningsâs anger vanished.
"Hop on. Iâll give you a ride," Rory said magnanimously.
In her entire life, Renee Jennings had only ridden horses; sheâd never even dared to dream of riding a tiger.
Faced with such a rare opportunity, she certainly wasnât going to refuse.
And so, under the shocked gazes of Evan Griffin and a crowd of tourists, Renee Jennings slowly settled onto the tigerâs back.
Rory got up more gently this time and, before walking off, thoughtfully asked, "Renee, are you sitting steady?"
"Oh my god, look! Whatâs that?"
"Thereâs a girl sitting on a tiger!"
"AHH, riding a tiger? Thatâs so cool! Is it a new attraction at the zoo? I have to go buy a ticket!"
"Isnât that dangerous? If not, I want to try it too..."
The observation area erupted in a commotion as everyone started discussing the scene.
"Iâm steady," Renee Jennings said. Although she was seated firmly, she couldnât find anything to hold on to for balance. "I have nothing to grab. If you start running, I think Iâll fall off."
Rory: "Then grab my fur!"
Renee Jennings: "Wonât that hurt you?"
Rory snorted, his haughty attitude returning. "This handsome tiger is so majestic. How could that possibly hurt?"
"Right, right!" Renee Jennings agreed with a laugh. "Youâre the bravest, most handsome tiger."
Unfortunately, the tigerâs fur wasnât very long, so there was nothing to grab.
Renee Jennings sighed. "Maybe I should just get down and walk."
"Donât get down. I wonât run." With her on his back, Roryâs pace slowed to a leisurely stroll.
The other tigers saw this and let out a curious roar.
"Rory, why does that human on your back look so much like Renee?"
"Hey bro, why are you carrying a human?"
Pacing elegantly, Rory explained, "This *is* Renee, the most interesting and beautiful human. Sheâs going to record a video of me so that the whole world can get to know this handsome tiger."
"Record a video?" The other tigers gathered around.
"Whatâs the point of recording a video?"
Renee Jennings glanced around. There were eight tigers here. She feigned curiosity and asked, "Huh, it seems like one tiger is missing?"
"Yeah!" Niner replied. "Sabin is sleeping."
Renee Jennings looked surprised. "Itâs not time to sleep yet. Why is Sabin sleeping? Is he feeling unwell?"
The tiger brothers shook their heads, indicating they didnât know what was wrong with Sabin.
"I donât know. He suddenly went on a rampage this morning, banging his head into things. Maybe he tired himself out."
"Heâs been acting pretty strange these past couple of days. Heâs not eating his meat properly and keeps losing his temper."
Rory suddenly said, "I remember he wasnât sleeping well last night either. He kept tossing and turning, and I think I heard him say he was in pain."
"Pain?" Renee Jenningsâs brow furrowed slightly. She pressed, "Did Sabin say where it hurts?"
Rory: "He didnât say."
Renee Jennings pressed her lips together. It seemed she wouldnât be able to find out the cause from the tiger brothers.
She couldnât help but ask, "Donât you tigers care about each other?"
Surprisingly, the tigers didnât understand the concept.
"Whatâs âcaring about each otherâ?"
"What does âcaring about each otherâ mean?"
Renee Jennings had no choice but to explain the meaning of the phrase to them.
Unexpectedly, after hearing her explanation, the tigers all looked disgusted.
"I donât like that."
"I donât like it either."
Renee Jennings: "..."
âAlright then.â
Just then, her phoneâs ringtone went off.
Evan Griffin was calling to tell her that Sabin had woken up and was starting to bang his head again.